Thursday 15 December 2016

KAZAKHSTAN

This beautiful cover from Kazakhstan depicts a miniature sheet issued in 2015 on topic "Pearls of Kazakhstan - Naurzum Nature Reserve". Naurzum Nature Reserve is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan". Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is a part of the Kazakh Uplands (known in Kazakh as saryarka, or "yellow range") which has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. It was inscribed on July 7, 2008. The site comprises the Naurzum State Nature Reserve (located in Kostanay Province) and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve (located in Aqmola Region). The two reserves contain wetlands which serve as important stop-over points for migrating birds from Africa, Europe, and South Asia. It is estimated that 15–16 million birds, including many endangered species, use the site as a feeding ground. The pink flamingos in particular are a major attraction within Korgalzhyn Reserve.The site is also home to wildlife commonly found on the Kazakh steppe, including marmots, wolves, and the endangered saiga. Korgalshyn nature reserve, being a part of world heritage site, is one of the most popular areas in Kazakhstan in terms of birdwatching.